28 Pounds of Marijuana Seized in Warren Township NJ
Earlier this month, a routine traffic stop in Warren Township turned into yet another major marijuana bust.
According to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, on January 1st the police in Warren Township pulled over a 2014 Jeep on Liberty Corner Road for a minor traffic infraction. However, when the officer approached the vehicle he claimed that he immediately smelled the odor of raw marijuana emanating from inside the vehicle and on top of that, he claims that he observed in plain view a quantity of marijuana on the front passenger seat. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered twenty-eight (28) pounds of marijuana and more than $10,000 in cash. The driver, a 37 year old male from Sacramento California was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute in the first degree. He was taken to the Somerset County Jail which is located in Somerville pending a detention hearing. During that hearing, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office will be seeking to convince the Judge that the Defendant must remain in custody, without bail, pending the resolution of his case. In order to do so, they must show by clear and convincing evidence that their is a serious risk that the Defendant will not appear in court, that he is a danger to society and/or that he will obstruct the prosecution of his case. This is a rather high burden but with pending first degree charges and the fact that the Defendant resides across the Country their is a good chance he may be detained.
Marijuana Distribution Charges in New Jersey
Anyone arrested for manufacturing, distributing or possessing with the intent to distribute marijuana with be facing an indictable offense, that is New Jersey’s version of a felony. It can either be a first, second, third or fourth felony offense. The quantity of the marijuana in question will dictate what degree the Defendant in charged with. So, in the case above, since the Defendant was caught possessing more than 25 pounds of marijuana he was charged with a first degree felony. If convicted, the Defendant will be facing up to twenty (20) years in a State Prison and a fine up to $200,000. For more information, including a breakdown of the different degrees, please checkout our marijuana distribution practice area by clicking the link or contact our Bridgewater office at 908-533-1064.
Marijuana Distribution Defense Attorneys in Somerset County NJ
New Jersey as a whole but Somerset County especially takes drug distribution cases very seriously. If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with distributing marijuana, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute or manufacturing cocaine, in Somerset or Hunterdon County, the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. Our office serves all of Somerset and Hunterdon County, including towns like Somerville, Flemington, Clinton, Raritan, Readington, Bound Brook, Franklin, Hillsborough and Watchung. If you would like to schedule a free initial consultation then please contact us directly at 908-533-1064 or leave us an email.
For more information on this offense, please checkout nj.coms article labeled Cops seize 28 pounds of weed in N.J. traffic stop.
